Ferrel hoasts naturalization ceremony

Sept. 19, 1996

Ferrell hosts naturalization ceremony

By Liberty Lay

Lariat Staff Writer

The parking lot at Ferrell Special Events Center is filling up. Inside, people make their way to the neat rows of chairs on the gym floor. Excited participants wave to friends and family members in the crowd. Cameras flash.

Music begins to play, but it's not 'Pomp and Circumstance.' Instead, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'You're a Grand Old Flag' fill the stadium.

For this is not a graduation ceremony. The 576 people on the floor of Ferrell Center represent 64 foreign countries and range in age from 18 to 84. This ceremony will make them citizens of the United States.

Tuesday was designated 'citizenship day' in recognition of the date's historical significance: it was on this date in 1787 that the Constitution was ratified.

In proceedings around the country, immigrants participated in naturalization ceremonies similar to the one in Waco.

Speakers at the event represented political, religious and educational interests of the area.

The Baylor University Air Force ROTC presented the flags, after which the court was called to order by attorney Tammy Hooks.